Pesticides Linked to Childhood ADHD

The pesticides used to grow fruits and vegetables have now been linked to Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) in children.

Some 40 types of the chemicals, called organophosphate pesticides, are registered with the US Environmental Protection Agency for use in growing food the United States. ­­­­­No less than 73 million pounds were used in 2001, providing the major source of exposure to pesticides for infants and children, according to the National Academy of Sciences.

“Children are generally considered to be at greatest risk from organophosphate toxicity, because the developing brain is more susceptible to neurotoxicants, and the dose of pesticides per body weight is likely to be larger for children,” wrote lead study author Maryse F. Bouchard and her colleagues. “Children have reduced expression of detoxifying enzymes, which contributes to their vulnerability.”

The researchers, from the Harvard School of Public Health, gathered data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2000 –2004) on levels of certain metabolites in the urine of approximately 1,000 children aged 8 to 15. These metabolites indicate exposure to pesticides, according to their report. Almost all of the children (93%) had at least one detectable metabolite in their urine. Children with higher than normal concentrations of the most common metabolite were twice as likely to have ADHD. Those with 10 times higher concentrations were up to three times more likely to have ADHD.

The study was published online on May 17, 2010 in the journal Pediatrics.